Barbara Inkpen

Is AFD first Olympian, born in Farnham Surrey on the 28th October 1949, she was coached by her Father Jack.

Barbara cam to prominence by winning the English Schools Intermediate High Jump in 1965 at Watford with a jump of 1.55m and winning again in 1966 at Blackburn with a clearance of 1.65m.

1968 was her breakthrough year into Senior athletics when she placed 2nd in the Women’s AAA at Crystal Palace with a clearance of 1.67m. This performance earned her a place in the GB team for her first major Games, the Olympics in 1968 in Mexico City, she was 13th with a clearance of 1.68m.

The following year 1969 Barbara won the WAAA Championship at Crystal Palace with a clearance of 1.72m. She was selected to represent GB at the European Championship in Athens, she came 8th with a clearance of 1.77m.

In 1971 she again represent GB in the European Championships in Helsinki were she cleared 1.85m to take 3rd place, the first medal won by a AFD athlete in a major games.

1972 saw Barabra place 3rd in the WAA Championships with 1.74m and go on to place 4th in the Munich Olympics with 1.85m

16th August 1972: Barbara became the first British girl to clear 6ft with the Fosbury Flop style of high-jumping.

1973 Barbara come second in the WAAA champs at Crystal Palace with a jump of 1.82m.. September 22nd again at Crystal Place Barbara achieved her personal best of 1.87m, a club record that still stands in 2011.

1974 was Barbara last major games the Commonwealth games in Christchurch were she won the High Jump with a jump of 1.84m

1974 saw Barbara last appearance at the WAAA Championships were she came 3rd in 1.75m.